Taylor Maloney’s sensational strike earned Welling United a point at Bath City.

Due to the World Cup, a decision was made was made to bring the game forward to a Friday night game but there was still a good contingent of Welling supporters in attendance.

Danny Greenslade had the first goal attempt with a well struck shot that was held by a diving Kai McKenzie-Lyle. Then, at the other end clever footwork by Medy Elito enabled him to find Maloney who, in turn, picked out Stefan Payne. He turned his man, but Bath’s other centre half got round to make a crucial block.

Elito shot over from the edge of the area after it came out to him but during the build-up Ade Azeez sustained an injury and had to be withdrawn and replaced by Antony Papadopoulos.

For the remainder of the first half, both teams probed but neither found a way through two well drilled defences and they went in for the break all square.

An injury suffered by Amadou Kassarate during that period meant that he was unable to continue and was replaced by Yaser Kasim.

There was a little more intensity shown by the Romans at the start of the second half and a good slick passing move produced an opportunity for Dan Hayfield who was in behind, but McKenzie-Lyle covered as much of the goal as he could and made a brilliant save.

Luke Spokes then shot on the turn and did beat the Welling goalkeeper, but his effort clipped the bar on the way over before Papadopoulos broke through at the other end but fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

On the hour mark, the hosts went ahead under controversial circumstances, and with a bit of good fortune thrown into the mix. Maloney was kicked in the side of the ribs by a wild challenge, but the referee allowed play to continue. When it arrived in the penalty area, a clearance by Jamie Sendles-White struck another Welling defender and rebounded to Callum Ebanks who hooked it home first time.

Hayfield shot well over but Welling were the better side in the remaining twenty minutes and the equaliser with ten minutes left was looking likely. Elito did superbly on the wing to control it and square for Maloney to let fly from twenty-five yards. Although Josh Gould got a hand to it, the shot had far too much power.

After that, Bath were left clinging on to their point. Maloney had another shot that was destined for the bottom corner but a defender stuck out a boot and deflected it just wide. Then Chi Ezennolim shook off two attempts to bring him down but they caused him to lose his balance and his shot flew wide.

Finally, with the referee checking his watch, Payne held it up well before laying it back to Kasim and his shot was squeezing in until Gould got across to make an excellent save.

That was the final chance of the match and the two teams had to settle for a point apiece.

Bath City: Gould, Raynes (Smith 90), Greenslade, Lines, Dyer, Parselle, Wilson Hayfield, Ebanks, Spokes (Morton 69), Frear.

Subs not used: Clarke, Batten, Mannings.

Goalscorers: Ebanks (60)

Yellow cards: Lines, Greenslade, Hayfield, Wilson

Welling United: McKenzie, Howard (Barnes 84), Ezennolim, Dunne, Sendles White, Parry, Elito, Kassarate (Kasim 46), Azeez (Papadopoulos 25), Payne, Maloney.

Sub not used: Curran, Andrews.

Goalscorers: Maloney (81)

Yellow cards: Payne, Howard, Maloney

Referee: Dale Wootton

Assistants: Martin Underhay and Gareth Dunn

Attendance: 774

Pictures supplied by Michael Brown.